USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1945-1949 > Part 28
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One definite advantage might well be mentioned. This is the op- portunity which would be offered of resuming the guidance program which has been in abeyance this year as a result of the resignation of Mr. Lynch. The proposed arrangement would make possible very definite improvement on the work in this field as carried on last year. This is due to the possible collection under one roof of the grades where this work is most effective.
The immediate benefits as applied to our housing needs in Tewksbury is that it would make available several classrooms which are desperately needed for pupils in the first six grades. It would probably meet our needs until such time as the town sees fit to provide a good modern elementary school for the accommodation of these elementary grades from all parts of the town, i. e. a central elementary school of modern design and construction which will have all of those modern adjuncts which are necessary in an up-to- date school plant. It would also provide room for the remedial and special classes which we should have in operation even today.
Thanks to the cooperation of our very active Parent-Teacher As- sociation an excellent start has been made in the field of Visual Edu- cation. Two excellent sound picture projectors have been placed in the two larger elementary buildings, and each of the three schools has also been given a slide-film projector for classroom use.
Here again space does not permit a complete story of the ad- vantages of this adjunct to our regular teaching equipment. It can be shown, however, that some things can be taught in ten minutes with the aid of a picture sequence which could easily require hours of teaching by purely auditory presentation. "Seeing is believing".
The school lunch programs have been functioning very satisfac torily throughout the year in the elementary schools. Of late the High School cafeteria has again commenced to function. In the near future it is hoped to expand the whole program by taking advantage of the subsidy from the State School Lunch Program. This can result in better lunches at even lower costs than is possible now. The better lunch offering will be the initial aim.
It is felt that since school opened in September there has been a definite improvement in teacher morale throughout the system. This is due, in part, to the improvement in the salary schedule which was put into effect much earlier in the year. In reality no formal schedule has been adopted, as yet, but the scale of payments was an
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encouraging improvement. The adoption of a real salary schedule is the only present goal of the Teachers' Club.
Changes in teacher personnel were few during the summer vaca- tion. Mr. David O. Lynch accepted a position as director of guidance in a superintendency union on Cape Cod which is under the super- vision of Mr. Herbert Hoyt, a former principal of our own High School. Mr. John Lough of Methuen came November 15th to take over Mr. Lynch's duties in manual training.
Miss Meloy, teacher of the first grade, left us to become Mrs. Sullivan and was succeeded by Mrs. Barbara Christiansen of Chelnis- ford. Mrs. Christiansen had previously taught elsewhere in this State.
Fairly late in the summer the resignation of Mrs. Doris Barnes from the principalship of the Foster School was accepted by the Committee with regret. Mr. Everett G. Thistle, a temporary resident of Middleton, was elected to succeed Mrs. Barnes. Mr. Thistle is a graduate of the four year junior school preparatory course at Salen State Teachers College. He continued his studies in this field at Boston University School of Education where he received his Ed. M. degree earlier this year. While Mr. Thistle may have been a little short in experience when elected, it was believed that his special work in the field of Elenientary School Supervision at Boston Uni- versity would bring a fresh and modern outlook to Foster School. Mr. Thistle has taken over the position quietly but firmly but unlike many, of the newer school of educational thought, he has not tried to revolutionize the system in the first four months of his incum- bency. It is anticipated that he will prove a definite asset to this educational community.
There were two additional changes of names in the school roster without change in personalities. Mrs. Dorothy Ogston Barry became Mrs. Higgins and Miss Marion Hey of the Shawsheen School changed her name to Mrs. McKiernan. It is evident from this that the rule concerning married teachers has been abrogated in this time of teacher shortages.
Mrs. Alice Sturtevant who has served as Supervisor of Music in the elementary schools for several years was asked to take on the High School music when Miss Olive Littlehale resigned to accept a. better paying position in Chelmsford.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That the citizens support the movement to provide more ade- quate school housing facilities by building a gymnasium-auditorium unit on the High School lot.
2. That finances be provided to make the special class require- ments function efficiently (including remedial reading teacher).
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3. That additional funds be provided to support the work in Visual Education by purchase and rental of needed films and slides.
4. That a definite salary schedule based on professional pre- paration be adopted.
5. That we resume the program in Vocational Guidance for Grades VII through XII. This would probably require the employ- ment of a Director of Vocational Guidance.
PUPIL ENROLLMENT
The number of pupils enrolled in the schools as of October 1, 1947 is somewhat in excess of that reported on the same date last year. The actual number of the increase is twenty-five. In many towns this would be considered a sufficient number to require an additional teacher. The increase appears to be in the Foster School. As a matter of fact, the normal enrollment in this school would be smaller than last year were it not for the transfer of pupils from the Shawsheen School. The increase is really centered in the Shawsheen School whose enrollment would be twenty-two greater than last year if it housed all of the children who should logically attend this school.
The tables for Age-Grade distribution and for School-Grade dis- tribution will be found appending later in this report.
CONCLUSION
I desire to take this opportunity to express to all of my as- sociates, principals, teachers and supervisors my sincere appreciation of their cooperation in the endeavor to maintain the standards of our schools and to improve our educational offering to the children of Tewksbury.
To the members of the School Committee, I offer thanks for their sincere cooperation and kindly understanding.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN G. BEAN.
Wilmington, Mass. January 15, 1948
Superintendent of Schools.
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REPORT OF THE HEAD MASTER TEWKSBURY HIGH SCHOOL January 1948
To the School Committee of the Town of Tewksbury:
After a thorough inspection of the school, faculty, and program, A. Russell Mack, Supervisor of Secondary Education, State Depart- ment of Education, awarded the High School a Class A certificate for the year 1947. This is the twelfth time Tewksbury High School has been the recipient of this award.
The twelfth Annual Commencement of Tewksbury High School was held in the high school auditorium on June 13, 1947 with the following program:
PROCESSIONAL-Pomp and Circumstance Elgar
SALUTATORY
Sylvia Brownstein
LAND OF OUR BIRTH Mason-Wilson
Girls' Chorus
HONOR AWARDS
The Larrabee Scholarship Medals
Highest Ranking Boy STUART T. MURPHY
Highest Ranking Girl SHIRLEY M. IVES
The Melvin Rogers Athletic Medals
Football Medal-RICHARD H. DEWING
Baseball Medal-EMMET R. MILLETT
The P. T. A. Citizenship Medal LEO LAFERRIERE The Washington and Franklin History Medal ELEANOR BERWIND
The D. A. R. Citizenship Award JOANNE TATSEOS
The Balfour Award for Loyalty, Scholarship, and Achievement HAZEL FARWELL
. .
CLAIRE de LUNE Debussey
GOLLIWOGG'S CAKE WALK Debussey
HAZEL FARWELL
ADDRESS TO THE GRADUATES MR. STEPHEN BEAN Superintendent of Schools
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ALL GLORY, LAUD AND HONOR Teschner-Cain Girls' Chorus
PRESENTATION OF CLASS GIFT GRETCHEN MOORE WARREN BISHOP
1947 Class President 1948 Class President
THINE ALONE Victor Herbert
Sylvia Brownstein
VALEDICTORY
Shirley Ives
BLESS THIS HOUSE
Girls' Chorus Brahe
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS MR. RALPH BATTLES, School Committee Chairman MRS. LOELLA DEWING, School Committee Member
RECESSIONAL-Pomp and Circumstance Elgar
CLASS OF 1947
COLLEGE COURSE
Louise Isabelle Marshall
Richard Howard Dewing
Eileen Ann Sheehan
William Neil Dunn
Joanne Tatseos
Hazel Adelaide Farwell
Shirley Louisa Freeland
Anna Mae Baker
Elizabeth Marie Compton
Esther Claire Kent
Thelma Mabel Darby
Stuart Tower Murphy
Joseph Vincent DiPalma
Anne Marie Ryan
Elizabeth Ann Doucette
Eleanor Theresa Seaward
Leo A. Laferriere
Phyllis Jean Treadwell
John L. McPhail Emmet Russell Millett
COMMERCIAL COURSE
Donald Emmet Sheehan
Veronica Baluta
NURSES TRAINING
Gwendolyn Jane Barker
Gretchen Elizabeth Moore
Sylvia Brownstein
Doris Smith
Anne Cecelia Dillon
Sarah Mildred Edwinson
MANUAL TRAINING
Margaret Geraldine Keough
James Robert Stevenson
Class Marshall STUART T. MURPHY
JUNIOR USHERS Eleanor Berwind, Joan Sughrue, Donald Aldrich, Richard Gelinas
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GENERAL COURSE
Ida Baker Hutchinson Shirley Millett Ives
Daniel Joseph Cooney
DISTRIBUTION OF COURSES 1947-1948
Commercial College Home General
Manual Training
Nurses Training
Total
Economics
Freshmen
22
20
2
6
9
0
59
Sophomores
15
13
2
19
2
3
54
Juniors
16
10
0
23
0
1
50
Seniors
4
19
1
11
0
1
36
Post Graduates
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
57
63
5
59
11
5
200
-
VISUAL EDUCATION-In keeping with the latest trends in edu- cation, the extensive program, utilizing educational films supplied by Boston University, Rice Films, and many other agencies, remains in operation. A Dual-Purpose projector, presented by the Class of 1947, has been added to the Visual education equipment purchased by the student body in 1944. This recent addition aided materially in com- pleting the required equipment for this particular field. An- exten- sive program of feature and classroom films has been planned for the year. The expenses of the feature films shown monthly are borne by the students while all other educational films are paid for by the School Committee. Whether shown in the assembly or the classroom, each film is recognized as a valuable learning and teaching aid. In order to evaluate these films, parents are invited to attend any or all the showings of these teaching aids.
VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE-A step forward in the advancement of education was made on March 19, 1947 when the first Career Day was observed at the High School. This program, under the super- vision of Mr. David O. Lynch, brought vocational information to the whole student body. Twenty-four top notch industrial and profes- sional speakers presented practical advice representing their respec- tive fields. This offering was an attempt to assist students in the preparation and selection of their life's work.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION-Under the direction of Miss Kathryn Chandler and Mr. Charles E. Hazel, an excellent program of physical and health education remain at a high peak. The general all around physical fitness derived from this training has been most noticeable in the student body as a whole and the athletes as a group. Little effect has illness had on our attendance records. The physical con- ditioning of our athletes was most apparent in winning the Lowell Suburban Basketball championship and the Townsend Tournament; it was obvious during the baseball season; it was most evident during the past football season. The splendid operating of this program aids in keeping the physical well being, the spirit, and morale of our students at a high level.
HEALTH-By the joint efforts of Mrs. Dewing, Mrs. Knox, and Miss Lefebvre, the room adjacent to the stage on the second floor
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has been remodeled and adapted for sick students. This change was necessitated by the reconversion of last year's sick room into a kitchen.
LUNCH PROJECT-Due to the untiring efforts of Mrs. Loella Dewing, the Hot Lunch project was resumed in September. In charge of Mrs. Edgar Hinton and Mrs. Adolph Moore, and subsequently handled by Mrs. Elizabeth Brazee and Mrs. Earl Sands, the lunches have proven popular and have provided hot and nourishing meals to a goodly portion of the student body daily. By virtue of this project, a student is able to meet the requirements of an adequate and balanced diet at a minimum cost.
MUSIC-On May 27, 1947, the annual concert was given under the direction of Miss Olive Littlehale. The program included selections by the boy's and girls' glee clubs and the mixed chorus. Featured soloists were Miss Littlehale, Hazel Farwell, Bernice Blanchette, and Sylvia Brownstein.
ART-The art students presented their accomplishments during the May Tewksbury Parent-Teacher meeting at the High School. In addition to this exhibit, these artists have displayed their talents at various times during the year by making posters and signs for dif- ferent activities. These exhibits were under the direction of our Art Supervisor (Mrs.) Evelyn R. Anderson.
DRAMATICS-In place of the traditional three-act play, three one-act plays were presented during the course of the year. All dramatics are under the direction of Miss Rita E. Sullivan,
ATHLETICS-By an adopted policy of the School Committee, all receipts from athletic contests have been handed over to the Town Treasurer since January 1, 1947. In turn, all expenditures have been made from the Treasurer's office. This same practice will continue for the year 1948.
TEACHER CHANGES-During 1947, three teachers resigned to accept positions similiar to those which they held while members of the Tewksbury system. Mr. Whitman Pearson, Headmaster of the High School since its opening in 1935, accepted the position of Superintendent of Schools in North Reading. He was replaced by Miss Louise Archambault. Mr. David O. Lynch, who accepted a position of Guidance Director of a union on Cape Cod, has been replaced by Mr. John Lough. Miss Olive Littlehale has been re- placed by Mrs. Alice Sturtevant, Supervisor of Music in the Elemen- tary Schools for a number of years.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
A very extensive extra-curricula program included the following: Winning of the 1947 Suburban Basketball Championship.
Winning the Class A Townsend Tournament Championship.
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Minstrel Show presented May 2, 1947 under the direction of Mrs. Mildred Farwell, Miss Kathryn Chandler, Mrs. Jonathan Stevens, and Miss Elsie Barrows.
"Adoption" of Chantel Le Padellec, French war baby for the second year in succession by the French Classes. This project is under the direction of Miss Lillian Swartz in cooperation with the Massachusetts Committee for the American Relief for France.
Publication of an excellent Year Book, "The Scroll" under the direction of Miss Stanley and Miss Barrows.
Improvement of the school magazine, "Hi-Lights" under the direction of Miss Swartz.
Inauguration of an Industrial Arts Course and Club under Mr. Lough.
French, Camera, and Science Clubs.
Dances and other social events.
Student Council projects for the improvement of the school.
Junior Red Cross membership 100%.
Solicitation for the Lowell Community Chest Fund.
CONCLUSION-The prevalent school spirit, the high morale, and the student achievements are attributed to the cooperation of the School Committee, the Superintendent, the faculty, the custodian, the students, the parents, and many other interested townspeople.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE R. McGOWAN,
Headmaster
. .
137
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To Mr. Stephen G. Bean and Members of the School Committee Tewksbury, Massachusetts
Madam and Gentlemen:
Herewith follows my annual report as music supervisor.
Elementary Schools: The attitude and spirit of the music de- partment, from the first grade through the High School Clubs, could well be expressed in the words of Ruskin; "Art, music, properly so called, is no recreation; it cannot be learned at spare moments, nor pursued when we have nothing better to do." For years music has been regarded as an embellishment rather than a necessary part of a child's education. Today, more and more, educators are realiz- ing that music should be considered as a valuable necessity in the school life of the child. Its worth and many facets in the experience and life of the individual are being recognized and as a result teachers are endeavoring to make music an important subject.
In our study of music we have a few definite goals.
1. Good singing, i. e. tone quality and smoothness of performance. The boys and girls are taught to listen to their own singing and to be able to tell themselves when it is "nice singing", when "there are no rocks in the brook" of song. When we tell them, 'Smooth it out" they know what is meant. We try to so teach music that our pupils will thrill to its beauty because of the quality and perfection of their own performance.
2. Real enjoyment in music, i. e. singing songs which they like and which they can relate to their own experience, and responding rhythmically to the music they sing or hear. What happens "on the inside" when a child sings his feelings is of more importance than any finished product. If he feels secure in his singing, he will glory in success and he will want to continue expressing himself in song. Music becomes, and is, his emotional language, so, we have him sing beautiful songs much and often. Then we give him opportunity for spontaneous, free and bold rhythmic response through clapping, marching, stepping, swaying, playing a drum, ringing a bell, tapping on his desk, shaking a jingle stick; rapping two sticks together - until he smiles and laughs in glee because of his sense of being happy in this form of self-expression.
3. A workable understanding of the music he is singing. The question is constantly arising, "how soon, and how much musical theory should school children be taught?" We have answered it by saying we will give them as much as will meet their school needs
138
and give as early to they can absorb it. We do lay stress on their being able to read their songs with syllables.
We are interested in the experience of producing and we have such programs as will motivate and develop enthusiasm and interest and effort. We have Songfests, Musical Matinees, and Gatherings twice a year. At these different grades entertain one another. This year we had a Christmas Assembly Program at Shawsheen using the three upper grades. The Ella Fleming had their usual Spring Concert; Shawsheen had its usual Memorial Day program at their flagstaff. Foster had an elaborate Memorial Day program outdoors using all the grades and their Rhythm Orchestra. In June the eighth grade presented a musical program for their graduation exercises.
In May, the Kelley Music Tests were given in grades two, three, and four; The Providence Inventory Music Test in grades five and six ; the Schlawasser Music Test in grade seven, and the senior Schla- wasser Music Test in grade eight.
Teachers and pupils, alike, appear to enjoy the music course as outlined by the supervisor for which I am grateful and happy.
High School: The educator's estimated value of music in the schools is never placed upon the concert performance or the contest record but is placed upon the value to the individual who participates -in living a more fruitful, joyous, cultural and abundant life. Music is taught and accepted as being a worthy educational subject, for what it will do for the individual who participates. Once music was listed as an accomplishment, and labelled, detrimentally, an "extra- curricula activity"; today, music is regarded as a study in secondary schools. To develop this idea has been my primary purpose and effort in the short time I have been with the High School. I have used various devices and methods. Not a dry and barren theoretical study, but a study in the sense that it is not simply a recreational or play period. It can be these, and fun is had, but the attitude toward the music classes should be one of reverence and respect as having something of worth. Out of this attitude will grow a serious approach to the work and this, in turn, will develop a spirit of de- termined effort and application to succeed in producing particular and worthwhile work. From this high purpose there will flow into the life all the artistic and cultural values which only music can give.
We have four music groups at present; a boy's music club; a girls' Glee Club; a special mixed chorus; and a School Choir where more able pupils are given opportunity for larger musical experience.
Musical selections were provided and soloists were coached in Christmas material, who carried this work out into the community by singing in their respective churches, at club meetings, and for the P. T. A. during the holiday season. The four groups were prepared
139
and taught in Christmas music and they with the soloists presented a program for the School Assembly.
All the, groups seem to be enjoying our work together. My hope is that they are getting as much enjoyment and pleasure as I am experiencing from working with them.
I desire to express my appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Bean and the principals, Miss Chandler and all of the teachers, for their in- terest and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE L. STURTEVANT,
Music Supervisor.
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REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF ART
January 1, 1948
Mr. Stephen G. Bean, Superintendent of Schools Tewksbury, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to submit my third report as Supervisor of Art for the Tewksbury Schools.
Art when combined with life's environment becomes a growing human benefit. Utility may become attached to art without sub- tracting from the beauty of art. Every handicraft or manufactured article may become an object of beauty when art is added and still retain its beauty. Drawing, painting, design, color and handicraft are each an important factor in art. My aim in 1947 has been to teach something or much of each so that a better understanding of art exists for the pupil.
The elective art course for the high school consisted of two three- quarter hour periods weekly. Figure drawing, still life, nature work, posters and lettering comprised our 1947 accomplishments. An art exhibit was held in the late spring in the gymnasium, at which time all students presented a title of their own choosing. The work of one student, particularly talented, received special applaud; his title was a series of cathedrals, skillfully rendered in pen and ink. The faculty and students of Tewksbury High School have shown intense interest in this student's progress and his future in art should be a very full and happy one.
The Shawsheen, Fleming's and Foster schools are visited on al- ternate weeks, at which time I have presented model and creative lessons, also blackboard illustrations. Seasonal art work, posters, figure and nature illustrations were among favored lessons. Each school had an individual art exhibit on occasions when parents and friends congregated at the schools.
In conclusion may I thank you, Mr. Bean, for your cooperation throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
EVELYN R. ANDERSEN,
Art Supervisor
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REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Stephen G. Bean, Superintendent of Schools Tewksbury, Mass.
Dear Sir;
Each year improvement is noted in the health and cleanliness of the average Tewksbury School Child. During the past year we liad fewer children absent due to infectious and contagious diseases, than the previous year. The number of children excluded for pediculosis and skin infections also decreased. This is all made possible throughi the splendid cooperation the nurse receives from both parents and teachers. There can be no question but what the hot lunches served in all schools, have helped immeasurably in building up each child's resistance against infectious and contagious diseases. The children have shown an excellent gain in height, weight and general appearance.
Although we inoculated more children against diphtheria than in 1946, our percentage of entering school children who were immun- ized dropped from 67% to 63%. However, our efforts will show up in another two or three years, as many children inoculated were much younger than school age. We still hope to see the time when every child who enters the first grade will have been immunized against this dread disease.
Fewer defects were found on physical examination, by Dr. Barnes and Dr. Larrabee. In each case the defect being called to the at- tention of the parent, and in many instances corrections being made. Most of these being eye, ear, nose or throat. If all children could lave known defects corrected before entering school in the fall, much less time would be lost during the school year, and the child would be in better condition to make the grade.
We have had the Massachusetts Vision Testing Kit added to our school health equipment this past year, which will enable us to test eyes more accurately.
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